Advanced Fluid Mechanics

Lecture 11: Laminar flow

dr. Ren Delfos & dr. Daniel Tam
Slides by dr.ir. Christian Poelma
Fall 2015
K&C: 9.1-9.8, 9.10
KC&D: 8.1-8.7

Laboratory for Aero & Hydrodynamics

Laminar flows are generally associated with flows

in which viscous effects are dominant over inertial effects

Osborne Reynolds (1883) "An experimental investigation of the circumstances which determine whether the motion of water in parallel
channels shall be direct or sinuous and of the law of resistance in parallel channels"
2

Overview
Previously, we looked at inviscid flow ( irrotational/potential flow)
For some cases, we can no longer ignore the viscous term
The viscous term can be interpreted as a vorticity diffusion term.
For some cases, we can still analytically solve the full Navier-Stokes equations:
- Fully-developed flow
- Pressure driven, Couette flow, Hagen-Poiseuille
- Taylor-Couette flow
- Self-similar solutions: Stokes' first problem
- Stokes' second problem

Introduction
Previously, we looked at inviscid flow
In the absence of viscosity, flow fields remain irrotational potential flow

Du
= g p+ 2 u
Dt

For many problems, viscous forces cannot be ignored:

in proximity of surfaces (no-slip versus slip as seen in inviscid flow)
low Reynolds number

w'
w'
w'
w'
2 w ' 2 w ' 2 w '
p ' gl

+ u'
+ v'
+ w'
=
2+
+
+
2
2
2
t'
x'
y'
z'
z ' U Ul x '
y'
z'

This means that we need to solve the full Navier-Stokes equations, including
the viscous term:
Du

= g p+ 2 u
Dt
4

Interpretation of the viscous term

If we take the curl of the N.S. Equation, we find the vorticity equation (here 2D):

Du

= g p 2 u
Dt

Heat equation:

curl

D
[ + u ] = 2
Dt

DT
= 2 T
Dt

vorticitiy only in x-y plane (z);

pressure and g disappear (curl of grad)
vortex stretching term disappears (2D)

=k /C p : thermal diffusivity

Both kin. viscosity (momentum diffusivity) and therm. diffusivity have units m2/s
The viscous term smears out vorticity (or velocity gradients)
vorticity diffuses
away from wall:
fluid becomes rotational

no viscosity:
jump in velocity at wall,
i.e. line/sheet of vorticity

t (or x)
5

K&C 9.2; Fig 9.11

Solving the Navier-Stokes equations...

The full Navier Stokes equations contains the non-linear advection (uu),
which prevents us solving it analytically (in general):

D u u
= u u= p 2 u
Dt t

Solutions are available for cases where the advection term is zero:

u u=u j

ui
=0
xj

When is this the case?

K&C 9.4

Fully-developed flow

Visualized Flow (J. Soc. of Mech. Eng. / Pergamon)

Fully-developed flow

u u u

u
u
u
v
w

x
y
z

Consider the flow from a large reservoir into a channel (2D):

This flow is the result of a pressure difference between reservoir and channel: dp/dx

K&C 9.4

Fully-developed flow

u u u

u
u
u
v
w

x
y
z

Consider the flow from a large reservoir into a channel (2D):

Viscous region (boundary layer)

and inviscid region (core)

At the entrance, the velocity profile is flat: u(y) = const.

The no-slip condition (viscosity!) leads to a deceleration of fluid near the wall
For a given y-location near the wall, u varies with x: u/x 0
This implies that there must be a small vertical velocity (continuity!) u v =0
x y
Core of flow accelerates (again: due to continuity)
Both terms of advective term non-zero
(we only consider the momentum equation in the x1 direction)
10

K&C 9.4

Fully-developed flow

u u u

u
u
u
v
w

x
y
z

Consider the flow from a large reservoir into a channel (2D)

After some length(*), the boundary layers merge and an equilibrium is reached
- Core no longer accelerates (cannot go to infinity)
The velocity profile does not change anymore
u v
=0
Now, the /x term becomes zero: fully developed flow;
x y
Also: v term becomes zero, so advection term vanishes!
(Another interpretation: streamlines are parallel)
11

K&C 9.4
*) This length depends on the Reynolds number : L/D ~ 0.06 Re (see K&C, page 789)

Fully-developed 2D channel flow

For the fully-developed case in 2D, the Navier-Stokes
equations simplify to:
2

u
1 p
0=

2
x
y
0=

1 p
y

2D:
/z = 0
/t = 0
Steady:
Fully-dev: /x = 0

Du
ui
p
i =

2
Dt
xi
xj

p/y = 0 implies that p is not a function of y, only of x,

from the x equation, it then follows that u can only be a function y,
which means that the two terms in the x equation are constants
So the pressure drop per unit of length is constant over the channel

drives flow
12

K&C 9.4

Fully-developed 2D channel flow

For the fully-developed case in 2D, the Navier-Stokes
equations simplify to:
2

u
1p
+ 2
0=
x
y

Dui
ui
p

=
+
Dt
xi
x j2

Integrating this equation twice, we obtain:

2

y p
0=
+ u+ Ay+ B
2 x

The constants can be found from the boundary conditions:

2

u=0 at y=0

0 p
0=
+ 0+ A0+ B
2 x
2

u=0 at y=2 b

(2 b) p
0=
+ 0+ A2 b +0
2 x

B=0

b p
A=
x

y p
b p
0=
+ u+
y
2 x
x

y dp
y
u( y)=
(b )
dx
2
13

K&C 9.4
NB:

Plane Poiseuille flow

Fully-developed 2D channel flow

u y=

y dp
y
b
dx
2
2

by dp y dp
u y=

dx 2 dx
2b

Q0

2b

by
y dp
2 b 4 b dp
2 b dp

u y dy=[
] =
=
2 6 dx 0

3 dx
3 dx

flow rate per unit length [m2/s]

Q
b dp
V =
2b
3 dx

average velocity

14

K&C 9.4
NB:

Fully-developed 2D channel flow

u y=

y dp
y
b
dx
2
2

by dp y dp
u y=

dx 2 dx
2b

Q0

2b

by
y dp
2 b 4 b dp
2 b dp

u y dy=[
] =
=
2 6 dx 0

3 dx
3 dx

flow rate per unit length [m2/s]

Q
b dp
V =
2b
3 dx
ij = p ij 2 eij =

average velocity

du b 2y dp
dp
=b y
=
dy 2 dx
dx

PL

PR

Force balance of pressure and wall shear stress:

P L 2b Z P R 2b Z =2 L z W =

P L P R 2b Z dp
= b
L
2Z dx
15

K&C 9.4
NB:

Couette flow

y p
0=
u AyB
2 x

We can find another fundamental flow by applying a different set of boundary

conditions:
- assume that the top wall is moving with a velocity U
- assume that there is no longer a driving pressure (dp/dx = 0)

16

K&C 9.4
NB:

Couette flow

y p
0=
u AyB
2 x

We can find another fundamental flow by applying a different set of boundary

conditions:
- assume that the top wall is moving with a velocity U
- assume that there is no longer a driving pressure (dp/dx = 0)
0= u AyB
u=0 at y=0 0=0 A0B=0 B=0
U
u=U at y=2b 0= U 2b A A=
2b

0= u

U
Uy
y u=
2b
2b

U
2b

17

K&C 9.4

Parallel, laminar channel flows

As the non-linear advection term is zero, the problem becomes linear. This
means that we can find solutions by combining the pressure-driven and
wall-driven cases:

18

K&C 9.4

Steady pipe flow (a.k.a. Hagen-Poiseuille)

The same procedure can be done for a circular geometry, using cylindrical coords.:

0=

p d
du

r
x r dr dr

0=

p
r

r a dp
,
u=
4 dx

a dp
Q=0 2 r u dr=
8 dx
a

this law was

determined empirically
by Poiseuille (mid 19th century)

19

K&C 9.5

NB: Poiseuille found that Q ~ a4 p/L;

(vel. profile & viscosity unknown at time)

Circular Couette flow

The flow field between two rotating cylinders for low Reynolds numbers:
Boundary conditions:

u
1 dp
=
dr
r

d 1 d
0=
r u
dr r dr

u = 1 R1 at r=R1
u = 2 R 2 at r=R 2

1
u =
2
1 R1 / R 2

R1 2
R12
2 1 r 1 2
R2
r

Note that the pressure

increases with r

20

K&C 9.6

Circular Couette flow

The flow field between two rotating cylinders for low Reynolds numbers:

1
u =
2
1 R1 / R 2

R1 2
R12
2 1 r 1 2
R2
r

2=0, R 2=

1=0, R 1=0

flow around a
rotating cylinder
in an infinite fluid:

flow inside a
rotating cylinder

our previous
irrotational vortex

our previous
solid body rotation
result!

viscous, but irrotational (!)

21

K&C 9.6

Impulsively-started plate
Flow
The previous cases were all stationary. Let's consider the flow
field caused by an infinite plate at rest that suddenly starts
moving (with a velocity U) this is Stokes' first problem.
2

u
p
u
=
2
t
x
y
0=

p
y

x, U

[note the similiarity to the Couette flow case, but now

we have a time-dependent term and other BCs]
Flow field is not a function of x (infinite plate), so:
du/dx + dv/dy = 0 dv/dt = 0 v = 0 (plate only moves in x-dir)

The pressure gradient must be zero (plate is infinitely long, invariant for shift in x), so:
2

u
u
=
2
t
y

NB:

with the following boundary conditions:

u y ,0 =0
u 0,t =U
u , t =0

Initial conditions: fluid at rest,

Surface moves at velocity U for t>0
The velocity at infinity remains unaffected by the motion of the wall
24

K&C 9.7

Impulsively-started plate
Flow
We can simplify the problem by realizing that U
only occurs in one of the BCs. We introduce the new
dependent variable u' = u/U;

x, U

(i.e. we make the velocity dimensionless):

2

u'
u'
=
2
t
y

u ' y , 0=0
u ' 0,t =1
u ' ,t =0

From dimensional analysis, we find that the solution must be of the form
u
u ' = =f y , t ,
U
NB: the left-hand side is dimensionless, so right-hand side must be too!
u
y
u '= =F
=F () This is the only possible combination and of course reciproke, square,
etc.; we write it here so we wil end up with u = f(y/ (...))
U
t

( )

y
(the factor 2 is added for convenience);
2 t
The y is made non-dimensional with , t. is called a similarity variable,
F is called a self-similar solution because one dependant variable
scales with another dependant variable.
with =

25

K&C 9.7

u'
u'
=
2
t
y

Impulsively-started plate
To solve it, we substitute our new parameters...
u '=

( )

u
y
=F
=F ()
U
2 t

F ()
u UF ()
=
=U
t
t
t
d F
=U
d t
d F y
=U
d 4 t 3/2

Flow

x, U

y
2 t

u=u ' U =U F

y
=
=
t 4 t 3/ 2
2t

u
dF
==U
d 2t
t

26

K&C 9.7

u'
u'
=
2
t
y

Impulsively-started plate

Flow

To solve it, we substitute our new parameters...

u '=

x, U

( )

u
y
=F
=F ()
U
2 t

F ()
u
=U
y
y
d F
=U
d y

1
=
y 2t

u
u
=
2
t
y

U d2 F
dF
U
=
d 2t
4 t d 2

u y ,0 =0
u 0,t =U
u , t =0

2 u
U d2 F
=
2
y 4 t d 2

u
dF 1
=U
y
d 2 t

u
dF
==U
t
d 2t

2 u
U F
=
2
y y 2t

F =0
F 0=1
F =0

d F d2 F
=
2
d d 2
We have reduced our partial
diff. equation to an ordinary
2nd order dif. equation; Also:
only 2 BCs left/needed.
27

K&C 9.7

Impulsively-started plate
Flow
We can solve this 2nd order ODE:

x, U

d F d2 F
=
2
d d 2

dF
=G
d
dG
d

2 G=

2 d =

dG
G

[separation of variables]

[integrate]

C=ln G
Ae

[we substitute dF/d = G]

=G

Ae =

[exponent of both sides, rewrite integration constant]

dF
d

F = A 0 e

'

[substitute original term for G]

2

d ' + B

[integrate]
28

K&C 9.7

Impulsively-started plate
Flow
We can solve this 2nd order ODE:
d F d2 F
=
2
d d 2
0

F 0= A 0 e

F= A 0 e

d B=1

d B

B=1

2
F ()= A 0 e d +1=0 A=

2
F ()=1 0 e d

x, U

F =0
F 0=1
F =0

error function erf()

y
t

( )

u
y
=1erf
U
2t

29

K&C 9.7

Impulsively-started plate

( )

u
y
=1erf
U
2t

x, U

Two observations:
1. The initial condition at the wall is a vorticity sheet;
no additional vorticity is concentrated, it only diffuses away from the wall.
2. If we choose u/U = 0.05 to define the thickness () of the layer in which the
velocity has penetrated, we find from the solution that this occurs at = 1.38.

2.76 t

2.76

x
U

7.6

x
U

(d /2)27.6

x
U

DU
x
7.6
4
D

x
0.03 R e
D

Inlet length can be estimated by finding out how long

it takes for to reach the middle of a channel (D/2)
30

K&C 9.7

NB: exact value of constant depends on criteria

Diffusion of a vortex sheet

u=U erf

y
2 t

31

K&C 9.8 (This is identical to the previous example)

Another example
of a self-similar flow:
the mean velocity in
the far-field of a turbulent jet

32
Two-dimensional image of an axisymmetric water jet, obtained by the laser-induced fluorescence technique. (From R. R. Prasad
and K. R. Sreenivasan, Measurement and interpretation of fractal dimension of the scalar interface in turbulent flows,
Phys. Fluids A, 2:792807, 1990)
http://www.eng.fsu.edu/~shih/succeed/jet/meanjetwidth.jpg

Oscillating plate
Stokes' second problem describes the flow as a result of an oscillating wall.
2

u
u
=
2
t
y
u 0,t =U cos t

u( , t)=bounded
solve using Ansatz
u=Uey

u
=ei tf ( y)
U

cos ( t y / 2 )

amplitude periodic phase

= penetration depth
Note that this solution is NOT self-similar!
33

K&C 9.10

Example: Pulsatile flow

=R

= Wo = Womersley-number

34